DISSECTING DRUG POLICY

Some observations about the article, "Walters links drugs to
terrorism" (World, Saturday). If illegal drugs are linked to
terrorism, it's for one reason: our drug prohibition policies. Ninety
years ago, when recreational drugs were legally available in local
pharmacies for pennies per dose, organized criminals and international
terrorists had no interest in recreational drugs. That's because there
wasn't enough money in the business.

Our drug criminalization policies have made easy-to-grow weeds and
easy-to-produce chemicals more valuable than pure gold. We could put
organized criminals and international terrorists out of the drug
business in a heartbeat -- the same way we put organized criminals out
of the alcohol business in 1933. By legalizing, regulating and
controlling the sale of recreational drugs.

Does U.S. drug czar John P. Walters believe that if Rush Limbaugh
purchased prescription narcotic drugs on the illegal black market that
he willingly supported international terrorists? If Mr. Limbaugh is
found guilty, should he then go to federal prison for 10 years, as
called for by our federal sentencing guidelines?

If not, why not?

KIRK MUSE

Mesa, Ariz.